Training Cats

[Kimmiebear]

A while ago I posted a question and asked what kind of tricks people would like to see a cat able to do... And let the what-were-you-thinking- mud-slinging begin. I thought I would let you all know that my assigned cat will run an obsticle course and sit on lured command. I hope to get sit to a vocal command, and then work on high-five. So it is possile to train a cat, and it is good for the cat's mental health to be stimulated.
For all you cat lovers out there check out "Cat Behaviour and Training" by Ackerman. Quite a good read- kinda preachy, but good information.

[wolf63]

kimmiebear - video it and put it on YouTube.

My cats come when I call their name - but only if I am holding food.

Good luck . I don't think that I would have the patience to train a cat.

[The Big Gill]

Hi, I remember the question. It was in relation to rescue cats, wasn't it?

Looking at the book, it seems that it isn't just about teaching your cat to roll over for a treat, so it may be interesting for people who post questions here regarding cat behavioural problems, i.e., soiling, scratching furniture, hostility, begging for food, etc.

[HJT40]

I put a treat in one of my hands behind my back and hold both clenched hands out and my cat will tap which hand he thinks the treat is in. If he is wrong he will tap the other hand. Most of the time he is right though and he does sit nicely to do it. He also sits and waits for me to thow a hair band in the air, so that he can catch it between his two paws and at night he comes and gives me a quick kiss before curling up on the bed next to me and going to sleep. My 1 year old puppy isn't so easy to train!

[wolf63]

HJT40 - so it is your fault that my cat has been stealing all my hair bands and hiding them somewhere in the house.

Last week I found a pile of them in the corner of a room.

Cats can be trained - they just don't want to be.

[Rebecca666]

One of my cats does a cool trick & she did it all by herself the fist time, I just encourage it & she does it more...but never when I have the camera on her!!!
If I throw one of her toys, she will fetch it & drop it at my feet!!!
My other cat, will run to the "cat" cupboard & open it if I say "dinner!" so Yeah, I believe cats do understand us!! But as someone here said, the choose not to!!!